GBF Gazette - Winter 2017

Winter 2017

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION

30th Anniversary Edition

GAZETTE

A LOOK INSIDE THE ISSUE: HIGHLIGHTS OF GBF’S BEGINNINGS WITH OUR FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LINDA SHEAD, PG. 2.

GBF’S FORMATION: A COLUMN BY FOUNDING CHAIRMAN JIM BLACKBURN, PG. 5.

GBF VOLUNTEERS REMOVE THOUSANDS OF TONS OF TRASH AT POST-HARVEY SHORELINE CLEANUPS, PG. 10.

1 GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION Bob Stokes President / Ext. 211 Courtney Smith Vice President of Operations / Ext. 214 Shannon Batte Oyster Shell Recycling Assistant Janet Bering Environmental Educator Bob Bright Director of Finance / Ext. 202 Haille Leija Habitat Restoration Coordinator / Ext. 203 Anna Deichmann Land Stewardship Coordinator / Ext. 224 Emily Demmeck Bike Around the Bay Coordinator / Ext. 222 Claire Everett Communications & Marketing Manager / Ext. 208 Abby Ficklin, Seasonal Field Technician Emily Ford Volunteer Programs Coordinator / Ext. 207 Brandy Gates Events Manager / Ext. 221 Genevieve Genest Development Data Associate / Ext. 201 Sarah Gossett Water Quality Manager / Ext. 217 Kaitlin Grable Water Programs Outreach Coordinator / Ext. 220 Rani Henderson Environmental Education Programs Manager / Ext. 212 Megan Imme, Environmental Educator Scott Jones Director of Advocacy / Ext. 209 Greg Loushine Director of Development / Ext. 213 Taleen Moore Accounting Associate / Ext. 205 Andrew Murphy Seasonal Field Technician Lindsey Nolan Water Quality Programs Coordinator / Ext. 215 Michael Niebuhr Program Technician / Ext. 225 Alena Oglesbee Donor Relations Manager / Ext. 204 Paula Paciorek Water Resources Manager / Ext. 218 Matt Singer Director of Land Conservation / Ext. 206 Philip Smith Director of Conservation / Ext. 210 T’Noya Thompson Report Card Coordinator / Ext. 223 Lee Anne Wilde Living Shorelines Program Manager Cindy Wilems Environmental Education Operations Manager / Ext. 219

FROM OUR PRESIDENT: Galveston Bay Foundation hit another milestone in 2017: thirty years of accomplishment. A diverse group of individuals came together in 1987 because they were worried about the future of Galveston Bay.Two major federal projects were planned for Galveston Bay that could have had major impacts on the Bay’s long-term health.

Our early board members decided they needed to do something about it. And they successfully came together to change those plans to avoid significant impacts to the Bay.

We strive to bring all these user groups to the table to work together in the best long-term interests of the Bay. It is not always easy, as Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay different uses of the Foundation President Bay can conflict.

But as our founders tried to do thirty years ago, we provide an opportunity for those users with potentially conflicting uses to get together and discuss those conflicts.

Those skills may be needed more now than they were thirty years ago, as another major federal project threatens the health As you read this issue, you will see of Galveston Bay. The “Ike Dike” is references to people with different types being touted as an effort that will “protect of Bay interests coming together to put everyone” in our region from a hurricane their differences aside and work in the storm surge. But as we consider investing long-term interests of Galveston Bay. approximately $10 billion in a structure that I’m proud of that culture and proud that will forever change the we still strive Bay, it is imperative that to represent we bring all the Bay users different Bay together to discuss both user groups in the pros and cons of such our work. When I a structure. A floodgate tell people about across the mouth of the Galveston Bolivar Roads (the pass Bay Foundation, between Galveston Island I almost always and Bolivar Peninsula) will start with the (From left to right): Cindy Bartos, Bob Stokes and Macey Stokes restrict the flow of water story about how on a GBF Observer Cruise, 1996. in and out of Galveston Bay we include a wide to and from the Gulf of Mexico. Fewer fish, variety of Bay user groups in our efforts. shrimp, and crabs will float in and out of the Pass. Water flow in the Bay will slow down, I talk about how we work with the meaning there will be less flushing of the recreational users — the folks who Bay. Less salt water will enter the Bay from boat, fish, birdwatch, and kayak around the Gulf, meaning that the Bay’s salinity Galveston Bay. I also talk about how we will decrease. And sediment will fall out of work with the commercial users — the the water column faster because the water folks who depend on a clean, healthy will be moving more slowly. This will lead Galveston Bay to make their living, to increased sedimentation in the Houston including the oysterman, the shrimpers, and the people who run small businesses Ship Channel and throughout the Bay. around the Bay. And last, but not least, What will these impacts mean for the the industrial users. Houston developed overall health of Galveston Bay? Right around Galveston Bay because it now, we don’t know. But it is imperative provides a good artery to national that we draw upon the spirit of our founders and international shipping. Refineries and bring all the users of Galveston and petrochemical facilities sprung Bay together to find out and avoid any up because of the abundance of local significant negative impacts to the health of sources of oil and gas.

Galveston Bay.

WINTER 2017

HIGHLIGHTS OF GBF’S BEGINNINGS WITH OUR FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LINDA SHEAD

Left: Linda at our 2017 interview. Right: Linda at a GBF meeting in 1991.

Former Executive Director Linda Shead describes the pivotal moment in GBF’s formation story.

This came when representatives from recreational and commercial fishing groups stood up in a meeting and said, “Okay, we’ll argue over who gets to use the resource outside the room, but here, we’ll work on preserving the resource.” These two groups typically don’t see eye to eye, so this was a big step to have them working together towards protecting what they had in common – Galveston Bay. “The whole key to the organization was bringing different interests together,” said Linda. “That was one of the wisdoms of the early founders – to get people in the same room and learn how to talk to other kinds of folks. Otherwise, there would be no successes, and nothing would be accomplished.”

For the first time, recreational, commercial and industrial Bay users forged together out of concern for two issues they faced: • The Wallisville Project, a project to dam up to 20,000 acres of the lower Trinity River and create a

lake, inevitably damaging the river delta and the ecosystem • The deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel Linda began attending the early GBF formation meetings as a Sierra Club delegate. In 1988, the foundation secured the first major source of funding - $100,000 dispersed over three years from the Moody Foundation. With funds in place, environmental attorney Jim Blackburn (column on page 5) and environmental consultant Glenda Callaway took Linda out for coffee to ask her if she’d serve as the interim executive director while they did a national search to find someone.

That search never ended up happening, and it wasn’t until 13 years later that Linda left her position after a journey that paved the way for GBF’s programs. She started out in a League City office so small that she and her assistant joked they couldn’t back away from their desks at the same time.

At first, GBF focused on the two looming issues around which the foundation formed.

By 1990, the Wallisville Project was completely re-designed after bald eagles were found nesting in the area. GBF also had funded an economic impact study of the Ship Channel project, and the depth and width to which the channel was dredged were eventually reduced. Both of these were wins for the Bay. “It was then a matter of starting and implementing programs in each of the four areas of our mission statement, and so that is what we did,” Linda said.

CONSERVATION GBF was on the forefront of the very beginnings of marsh restoration in Galveston Bay. With the help of partners from Texas AgriLife Extension, the USDA Soil Conservation Service (later re-named the Natural Resources Conservation Service) and a few volunteers, it transplanted native marsh grass to areas in need of restoration.

Continued next page

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HIGHLIGHTS OF GBF’S BEGINNINGS (CONTIN. FROM PG. 2) GBF and its partners worked to establish a nursery for marsh grass and also pioneered the use of marsh grass seed in establishing marsh in more protected areas.

“Nobody local even knew you could do it by seed back then,” Linda said.

ADVOCACY A much-needed oil spill response plan was among the environmental issues and solutions GBF advocated for in its beginning years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

“Exxon Valdez [1989] brought home to In the beginning, they planted in small us that there was no local coordinated groups of volunteers and a few hundred spill response, no cooperation, no presquare feet at a time. At a meeting positioning of resources, anything,” Linda discussing what similar organizations said. were restoring, she remembers a partner commenting, “How many acres is Tampa GBF formed a spill watch committee headed Bay Watch doing?

by John Grimes, the late Mayor of That’s the Texas spirit, We can beat that!”

Morgan’s Point. The committee had the Houston spirit! It was a hand in writing the first Galveston “That’s the Texas spirit, all wonderfully exciting. Bay Oil Spill Response Plan. the Houston spirit!” Linda – Linda Shead reflected. “It was all By 1994, when the San Jacinto wonderfully exciting.”

River caught fire from floodwaters rupturing a 40-inch pipeline, GBF had already gained And out of the “we can beat that” attitude, the Coast Guard’s respect. And Linda, not GBF’s signature marsh grass planting event to her desire, went up in a helicopter to we now call Marsh Mania was born. communicate the situation to the public.

Marsh Mania has occurred every year since 1999, and to-date, 8,000 “Marsh Maniacs” have planted over 210 acres of marsh around Galveston Bay. Be sure to join us in 2018 as we host our 20th annual Marsh Mania event! Email Emily Ford at eford@galvbay.org for more information.

Refrigerator used to store marsh grass seed during the early re-seeding efforts, 1994.

GBF continues to stand in the forefront of spill response and in 2014, was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Coast Guard for our leadership role in the Texas City Y spill.

Linda looks at the shoreline after the Apex-Shimoussa Spill, July 1990.

WINTER 2017

Saint Nicholas School students aboard the Galveston Bay Foundation Bay Ranger for a boat tour in 1994.

EDUCATION GBF’s first education tool was the Bay Ambassadors program, through which staff and trained volunteers provided “show and tell” lessons to groups and school classes.

Then GBF added a fleet of canoes to take youth and adults out on tidal tributaries, followed by acquiring the Bay Ranger, a 26’ Empire aluminum bottom boat that carried 16 passengers and 2 crewmembers. The boat took the public out on tours to learn and explore different aspects of the Bay.

66 sites around the Bay, and some of them are certified to collect bacteria samples as well. ……………

Watching the evening news after one of the oil spills, Linda recalls Jon Lindsay, who was a Bay fisherman and the Harris County judge at the time, say the word “estuary.” More specifically, that our estuary, Galveston Bay, was important and we have to protect it.

Currently, GBF’s main education programs consist of interactive presentations with an in depth look at Galveston Bay and one day field events or school year long programs that focus on habitat restoration.

“Nobody used the word estuary then, totally never heard the word estuary beyond our little isolated world,” she said. “And there he was on the evening news saying we have to protect this estuary. Milestones like that you don’t forget.”

RESEARCH

Many milestones were completed for Galveston Bay by the time Linda left GBF in 2002, and continue to be completed now.

Linda now runs her own environmental consulting business and has worked with GBF on several projects over the years, most recently on securing the land and funds for a management plan and early management of the Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve in Chambers County.

In addition to contracting for specific research studies, a big part of GBF’s early research endeavors was citizen water monitoring, which was called TEST, for The Estuarine Sampling Team, and began with eight sites around Galveston Bay. Today, GBF’s 67 citizen water monitors sample basic water quality parameters from

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GBF’S FORMATION: A COLUMN BY FOUNDING CHAIRMAN JIM BLACKBURN Back then, the threat to the Bay was the widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel. Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners Dick Morrison, George Bolin, Billy Wheless and Ed Cox, along with those of us from GBF, were extremely concerned about impacts of open bay (unconfined) dredge disposal on Galveston Bay. A map that was prepared by early GBF members (and presented on a national Sunday morning television show) is shown below. The area shown in red represents 80,000+ acres of bay bottom that was to be covered by unconfined dredge material.

Jim Blackburn accepts GBF’s first grant in 1989. From left to right: Sally B. Fish, GBF executive commitee; James B. Blackburn Jr., GBF chair; Peter M. Moore, Moody Foundation grants officer; Frank C. Smith, GBF 2nd vice chair. At the time, Jim noted, “Just as a volunteer crew of Col. Moody’s steam launch, the Pherabe, went to the mainland for help for Galveston after the 1900 storm, the volunteers of the Galveston Bay Foundation work today to save Galveston Bay for the enjoyment of future generations.”

This opposition led to a historic agreement and ultimately the creation of the Beneficial Uses Group which has thrived, creating marshes with sediment rather than causing damage. This opposition and agreement along with education and sound science became the cornerstones for the continuing success of the organization.

Galveston Bay Foundation is 30, and I’m proud of it and the work it has done from the beginning until today. GBF was forged by threats to Galveston Bay and was put together by an As the Founding Chairman of GBF, I amalgam of groups and interested individuals, a take pride in the fact that we created an recipe that remains today. organization that has made a difference. I think GBF succeeded because it captured The structure of GBF was hammered out in a the diverse spirit of Galveston Bay and classroom at Rice University. Sharron Stewart put it into an organization. And that’s discovered the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, all good. which became our model. The League of Women Voters helped with by-laws, while commercial and recreational fishermen came together with birders, boaters, sailors, bay residents, activists Map prepared such as Galveston Bay Conservation and by early GBF Preservation Association, oil and gas interests members to and barge operators to forge a group that was illustrate the area in the Bay that different than any other on the Gulf Coast.

I’ll never forget the late commercial oysterman Joe Nelson in the same room with the founders of the recreational fishing group Gulf Coast Conservation Association (now known as CCA Texas), working together to create an institution for the Bay despite deep distrust and animosity.

Those moments set the stage for today.

would be covered by drege material from the propsed deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel.

WINTER 2017

YOU TAKE CARE OF THE LAND, THE LAND WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU: MEMORIES FROM CURRENT GBF BOARD CHAIR, GUY ROBERT JACKSON “You take care of the land, the land will take care of you.”

That was the unspoken but instilled mantra that current GBF Board Chair Guy Robert Jackson grew up with. He was raised to be a good steward for the land, but it was also natural for him. It wasn’t until later in life that he learned he could do something to give back to the land and the Bay that he still calls home.

Guy’s great-great-great-grandfather Humphrey Jackson was a Harris County pioneer and member of Steven F. Austin’s Old Three Hundred colonists. Humphrey settled in Crosby in 1823.

The Jackson family first came to Chambers County back in the 1830s when it was what Guy calls a nomad’s land. His great-great-grandfather James Jackson, a pioneer cattleman, laid roots down for the Jackson family when he acquired 26,000 acres of land and established JHK Ranch.

In 1963, Guy’s grandfather and great uncle dissolved the ranch, parceling it out amongst the family and selling nearly

10,000 acres to the federal government for the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

“The ranch was always a place we went to,” said Guy, who currently leases out his 1,500 acres of the ranch to a rice farmer and a cattle-grazing operation. “And the Bay has always been a part of my life.”

His father lived on the Bay, and Guy says some of his earliest memories as a kid were when his retired neighbor would take him, his brother and sister crabbing at Fort Anahuac Park.

“We’d take string, chicken necks, a net, and a big old #3 washtub and we’d go crab and crab until we filled the tub up,” he said. “Then we’d go home and have a crab boil.”

Back then, he knew the Bay was important, but he just didn’t know exactly why.

He remembers stories his father told him about tarpon, considered one of the greatest saltwater game fishes, jumping out of the sparkling Bay water. By the time Guy was born, the Bay was too turbid for tarpon to come up.

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THE FORMATIVE YEARS

THE BEGINNING

Plans for the Wallisville Reservoir, one of the key issues in GBF’s formation.

1990: GBF employee Bridget Jenkins in the first GBF office.

1988: Smooth Cordgrass Planting.

“Our progress in this field will only be able to be judged with the passage of time.” - The late John Cheesman, former GBF Chairman.

To date, GBF has planted more than 1,000 acres of marsh around the Bay.

1991: Boat tours were one of our main education tools. This is the Ellis/ Hall Boat tour on Galveston Bay.

1991: The first Bay Day Festival, our family fun educational event celebrating Galveston Bay. Save the date for this year’s Bay Day on April 21st on Kemah Boardwalk!

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1993: Members of the TEST (The Estuarine Sampling Team) taking water quality samples.

Citizen water monitoring was a big part of GBF’s early research endeavors.

1995: Thank you letter from a student after an educational boat tour.

1995 1992: Examining an oiled pelican. A photo featured in GBF’s 1992 newsletter. GBF played a key role in creating the Galveston Bay Oil Spill Response Plan.

1994: GBF and its partners pioneered using marsh grass seed and growing plants in a nursery. This nursery in Baytown is still in use today to grow out native plants for GBF and other organizations working on habitat restoration.

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GUY ROBERT JACKSON PROFILE (CONTIN. FROM PG. 6) And Guy remembers dump truck after dump truck of freshly dredged oyster shells coming out of the shell dock in Anahuac, ready to pave the roads of East Texas, unaware just yet of the environmental implications.

It wasn’t until 7th and 8th grade science classes at Anahuac Middle School when Guy had the rude awakening that the “you take care of the land, the land will take care of you” mantra was not something everyone followed.

In school, his teacher talked about the proposed Wallisville Reservoir, one of the big issues that spurred the creation of GBF, and the damage it would do to the alligators and the nesting bald eagles.

“Watching people who weren’t good stewards, hearing friends who would go to Colorado and talk about how beautiful it was, how clear the water was, and we would talk about how we want that,” he said. “It took me a while to realize that there was something I could do.”

Guy Robert Jackson (right) with Eagle Scout Honorees and GBF President Bob Stokes at the 2017 Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon.

“All of this at this point in time was like ingredients to a cake,” Guy said. “And so this is what was happening, all throughout my life building to all these different aspects and now all of a sudden we’ve got a cake!”

The thing he is most proud of in his time serving on GBF’s board is when GBF became an accredited land trust. GBF has held lands for conservation purposes since 1992, but receiving accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2013 made GBF a stronger land trust and offered the assurance that GBF’s land conservation practices are worthy of the public trust. Todate, GBF has preserved more than 8,000 acres around Galveston Bay, roughly half of that just since accreditation in 2013.

Guy’s intro to that “doing something” happened in 1996 when he was serving on the Anahuac Chamber of Commerce Board and was told he was the delegate for Galveston Bay Foundation. He was further excited by the prospect of environmental education, and played a role in developing the Waterborne Education Center for school I would love for [Galveston “I want a Galveston Bay that we all can groups. The Center Bay] to be back like it was was made up of two be proud of and enjoy,” Guy said. “I when Humphrey Jackson renovated coastguard would love for it to be back like it was showed up in the 1820s, but I buoy tenders, complete when Humphrey Jackson showed up with classrooms below and know that’s not possible, so I in the 1820s, but I know that’s not want the next best thing, and an avenue to disembark possible, so I want the next best that’s make it as best as we can. and explore marshland. thing, and that’s to make it as best -Guy Robert Jackson as we can.”

He saw the things he took for granted growing up as And as the good steward he is, that groups of kids from the city who had never means leaving the Bay better than been on a boat, initially terrified, would be he found it. Seeing a tarpon jump out of its running around asking the teacher when they waters in his lifetime would be nice, too. could come back. The Waterborne Education Center boats were destroyed in Hurricane Ike, and although it never got up and running again, it propelled him to get more involved with GBF.

WINTER 2017

VOLUNTEERS REMOVE THOUSANDS OF TONS OF TRASH AT GBF POST-HARVEY SHORELINE CLEANUPS

Along with the immense volume of stormwater runoff flowing into Galveston Bay and its tributaries during Hurricane Harvey came a vast amount of trash and debris. In the days and weeks following Harvey, we witnessed Houstonians banding together to help one another and the environment as well in many different ways. GBF hosted a number of post-Harvey cleanup events around the Bay, including our Texas General Land Office Adopt-a-Beach site in Morgan’s Point in partnership with Port Houston. It was inspiring to see hundreds of volunteers come out to make our post-Harvey shoreline cleanups possible, many of whom had been impacted by the hurricane themselves.

These are some folks that helped clean up 4,500 tons of trash and recyclables at the Morgan’s Point Adopt-A-Beach site:

Michael Brown, Cameron and Courtney, Houston

Christina Butcher, Co-sponsor at E.P.I.C., Service Learning Club from the City of Baytown

Why did you come out to the cleanup?

“I’m just looking to give back and volunteer and get my kids in the action doing things they’re supposed to be doing, and I wanted to set a good example.”

Why did you come out today?

“Every month we do a service project that benefits our community, and this is our community, so that’s why we’re here.”

Did you find anything cool?

“A masterpiece rock” – Cameron “A really cool shell, but I lost it!”

– Courtney

Were you impacted by Harvey?

“Being in the city of Baytown, all of our friends have friends and family members that lost their homes due to the hurricane. Our parks department has suffered some losses as well. We’re still giving back, we’re doing something that impacts us greatly. I mean who would come out and enjoy a beautiful day like today if they had to wade through all the plastic they picked up today?”

Amy Ardington, Morgan’s Point “I knew Harvey had left a big old mess down here. It’s important to pick up trash everywhere; I pick it up wherever I go. But sadly here, located where we are at the top of the Ship Channel, we have more than our share of it even when there’s not a storm.”

What did you find today?

“Mostly it is just shards of plastic.”

Anything else you’d like to say?

“I’m just going to do a shoutout to Galveston Bay Foundation. I’m glad they get everyone out here. It’s really nice that this happens here in Morgan’s Point. So thank you, Galveston Bay Foundation!”

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HOW HAVE GALVESTON BAY DOLPHINS FARED SINCE HARVEY? NMFS Permit #1881

Dolphin with skin lesions post-Harvey.

The weeks following Hurricane Harvey appear to have been challenging for dolphins in Galveston Bay. Hurricane Harvey dumped an unprecedented amount of rainfall on the upper Texas coast, and Galveston Bay took on a massive volume of freshwater in a short period of time. This freshwater drastically decreased the salinity of the Bay and likely contaminated the Bay with waterborne pathogens and toxic chemicals. These important water quality changes appear to have affected the ecology and health of Galveston Bay dolphins.

NMFS Permit #1881

Recently-adopted dolphin named Astro. To adopt or name a dolphin, visit www.galvbay.org/dolphin.

said Vanessa Mintzer, GDRCP Research and Conservation Fellow.

By October, the population was showing important signs of recovery, including a shift back to more “normal” distribution and behaviors. However, the GDRCP researchers are concerned about the continued occurrence of the skin lesions and the apparent decrease in mother/calf pairs in the area.

Because dolphins typically leave the study area during the cooler months and return as the The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research and water warms up in the late spring and summer, Conservation Program (GDRCP), a partnership it will take at least a year to investigate any between Galveston Bay Foundation and Environmental Institute of Houston at the University long-term effects of the storm. The GDRCP was recently awarded grants from the Gulf of Houston-Clear Lake (EIH-UHCL), monitors and studies the dolphins inhabiting upper Galveston Bay. of Mexico Alliance and the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund to continue postWhen the GDRCP crew first surveyed Galveston Harvey research on the dolphin population.

Bay after the storm in September, they observed We want to extend a sincere thank you to the following: - Dolphins appeared lethargic and were not engaged program supporters who named a dolphin in the last year: in normal behaviors like socializing and bow-riding - Fewer dolphins were found in upper Galveston Bay The Prioleau Family named their than what was expected for the time of year dolphin Astro (following the big win!)

- Newborn calves that were observed earlier in the summer were not seen in the upper Bay Charles Gussler named Terry Lynn - Skin lesions were widespread on many dolphins in in honor of his wife Terry the upper Bay, as well as other signs of poor body condition Terry Lynn’s calf, Ted, was named by “Because the GDRCP has been the only research Noble Energy in honor of Ted Romig program focused on studying the dolphins in upper Galveston Bay, we are in a very unique position to Shell named two dolphins - Squirt and evaluate the effects of Harvey on this population,” Dutch - after an employee naming competition.

WINTER 2017 EPA to ensure that cleanup and removal begin as soon as possible.

During our years-long advocacy efforts on the cleanup of the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund site, GBF has also routinely called for additional seafood testing in the area. The purpose of seafood testing is to determine if certain species of fish and crabs are safe to eat. The Texas Department of State Health Services has jurisdiction over sampling of fish and crabs in our coastal waters to ensure they are safe to eat, but is not able to conduct routine sampling for toxins such as dioxins, which are located at the waste pits, even in areas where there may be pollution concerns.

IS SEAFOOD AROUND THE SAN JACINTO WASTE PITS SAFE TO EAT? Galveston Bay Foundation Awarded Grant to Lead Seafood Testing in the San Jacinto Waste Pit Area In early October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came to the record decision to require removal of the toxic waste from the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund site at I-10 in Channelview. It ended a lengthy period of debate on the future of the old paper mill waste at the site. GBF advocated for years for complete removal of the waste and is urging the

Thank you to our Titanium Top 30 Fundraisers: Donna Plewa-Allen Bob Stokes Matthew Hartzell Allan Torregrossa Bonner Barnes Madeline Woods David Eskins Ellen Yarrell Ann Ross Malcolm Ross Richard Bohan

Lythia Metzmeier Ellen Stephenson Greg Loushine Amanda Smith Tim Tsotsonis Courtenay Clifford Alan Shimshock Jim Pirnik Greg Blackburn Kimberly Johnson Jon Balter Adam Lindberg Mark Schusterman Eric Fancher

In response to the need for more seafood safety testing, GBF has received $250,000 from Harris County to oversee seafood testing in the area of the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund site.

We expect the effort to take place over the next calendar year and result in new data that will help us determine the impacts of dioxin on fish and crab in this area.

 We are excited to share this good news and will keep you informed on the progress of testing, in addition to any updates on when waste pits cleanup will begin. If you have questions, please call the GBF office at 281-332-3381 or email us at info@galvbay.org.

Albon Harrison David McFarland Tim Smith Bradley Klein Bohdan Jankowski Learn more about Bike Around the Bay, our two-day, 170-mile fundraising ride around Galveston Bay, at www.bikearoundthebay.org

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CHOOSE HOW YOU GIVE BACK TO THE BAY: A HERON SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT ON DONORS BRAD AND MARY ROBBINS

Galveston Bay Foundation is pleased to recognize individuals and households as Heron Society members in recognition of their cumulative, annual personal gifts and commitments of $1,000 or more.

Heron Society members Mary and Brad Robbins

Preserving and protecting Galveston Bay for future generations requires the passion and vision from supporters like Heron Society Tricolored Heron Members ($10,000 - $24,999) Brad and Mary Robbins. The Robbins have been sailing and fishing on Galveston Bay since 1978. Their bay home has become the preferred gathering place for family and friends.

Brad and Mary Robbins were founding Circle of Friends members, GBF’s giving club which recognizes property owners on or near the Bay who support GBF with an annual donation of $250 or more. They also give of their time to GBF by participating in Trash Bash, the largest singleday waterway cleanup in the state of Texas, as well as Marsh Mania, our annual communitybased wetlands restoration and education event.

This year, Brad and Mary chose to designate half of their gift to support GBF’s effort to purchase a conservation easement on

the 1,739-acre Gordy Marsh property in Chambers County.

Purchase of this easement preserves the property’s natural state and provides essential nursery habitat for coastal fisheries, including fish, crabs, shrimp and oysters.

“We have donated to GBF for many years, but felt it would be more interesting to focus on a project,” said Brad. “This year we are investing in Gordy Marsh because protecting it will directly benefit the Bay and its wildlife forever.

We love GBF because they consider all the diverse ways we can protect or promote the Bay and allow donors to identify how they want to be involved or invest in the Bay. GBF always works with the Bay environment and those who use it, love it or are affected by it.”

The remainder of their gift will be unrestricted and will support GBF’S mission to preserve and

enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for future generations. The Robbins are long-time donors and friends of GBF. They hope their gift will inspire others to give generously and help protect and improve the Bay’s resources.

“Whether you live, play or work on the Bay or if you live in the center of Houston, the quality of the Bay is critical to you and our future,” said Mary. “Join us in doing what you can today and in the future.”

For more information regarding the Heron Society or to learn more about your membership, please contact Alena Oglesbee at aoglesbee@galvbay.org or 281-332-3381 ext. 204.

WINTER 2017

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CELEBRATION ON APRIL 7th!

In this edition of the Gazette, you have taken a look at GBF’s formation and founding as well as some of our highlights from the last few months. Now, we’d like you to join us in celebrating our future together at GBF’s 30th Anniversary Celebration on April 7, 2018, at Texas Corinthian Yacht Club!

This fun-filled event will be complete with a site visit to GBF’s future Education Center and Headquarters, dinner and entertainment. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Brandy Gates at bgates@galvbay.org or call 281-332-3381 ext. 221.

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW STAFF

BOB BRIGHT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Bob joined Galveston Bay Foundation as Director of Finance in October 2017. He formerly had the honor of serving as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Richard Nixon Foundation/Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA for 18 years and served as the Finance and Accounting Officer of National CASA Association in Seattle, WA for 18 months. Bob grew up in Orange County, CA and has a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.

Bob is married to his wife of 13 years and has three beautiful children that keep him on his toes. Although he married his wife in Santa Ana, CA 13 years ago, they spent their honeymoon in Galveston, TX so Bob has a soft spot for Galveston Bay.

LINDSEY NOLAN WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS COORDINATOR Lindsey joined Galveston Bay Foundation as Water Quality Programs Coordinator in October 2017. She is originally from Maryland, where her passion for water quality began after having spent most of her life near the Chesapeake Bay. As her love for the outdoors grew, she attended Virginia Tech, receiving a B.S. in Environmental Resources Management and a Masters in Forestry. She looks forward to working with GBF’s amazing team of water monitors and helping to preserve Galveston Bay for future generations to come.

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Photos in this issue of the Galveston Bay Foundation Gazette contributed by: Andrew Hancock Gene Fisseler Brad and Mary Robbins Former GBF Chairs and Staff (1988-1996) Current GBF Staff

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